Christian Hip-Hop Grows Up

I just read Oliver Wang on his MSN Music Filter blog discussing Holy Hip-Hop:

"One problem however is that Christian rap tends to only be sold and marketed in Christian bookstores, and at current, there's been little effort to push the music at a wider audience. In other words, they're literally preaching to the choir"

This is progress for Christian rap, and it follows the trend of regionalization in hip-hop. The new Houston emcees no longer emulate L.A. rap. Toronto hip-hop is no longer a Canadian version of the NY rap scene. And religious rap has given up trying to follow or cater to the general rap audience.

Christian (and Muslim) emcees use words, references, and samples that only their religious listeners will truly understand or appreciate. They now feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, which makes for better music.

They have their own mixtapes. And t-shirt lines. They compete for their own awards. They do their own tours. And I bet a good independent Christian artist can live better than your favorite underground emcee.

There are still holdovers from the old style, who Darren Keast of the East Bay Express rightly blasts:

"There's a whole sorry parade of Christian knockoffs out there, from the Christian Biggie (a rapper named BBJ) to the Christian Eminem (KJ-52)"

That's about the only line from Darren's piece that I agree with, though. Like journalists who discount the work of bloggers, he starts with the assumption that Christian emcees want to be like their popular counterparts, basing it on the example of just a few cornball wannabe's. The argument crumbles from there.

The question isn't "Can Christian rap go mainstream?" The real story behind all this is how did a sub-genre of hip-hop that was being mis-used by old folks to influence their kids, grow into it's own creative, self-supporting scene right under our noses?

Comments

[A.G.E.]

Great blog. I don't agree in some cases that all Christian emcees want to be like their popular counterparts, especially with the artist on my independent label. God Style Records offers artist to the public that have the mind set to set the captive free or in other words preach the Gospel. I have been able to put our music into mainstream retail stores. We have Christian Distribution along with Mainstream distribution. Our titles are available in Tower Records, Virgin Mega Stores just to name a couple. In the meantime I still continue what I do and that is run my for profit label to reach the masses.
Blessings,

[Brittany Glenn]

So interesting of you to suggest this...I would agree that Christian hip-hop has been specifically marketed in the church and in Christian stores which to me is not a problem. There are many Christian rappers that would like to reach a wider audience but where are the funds? Hip hop artists are already marketed to reach a specific target audience but Christian hip hop is not set up to do that, the messae that they are bringing is completely anti-popular culture which is why it has been rejected in mainstream. If you ever listen to Dr. Cornel West speak about hip-hop and it's influence on our generation, you will find that any alternative to that popular culture has to be brought forth through some other medium to be accepted by most people.

[Brittany Glenn]

So interesting of you to suggest this...I would agree that Christian hip-hop has been specifically marketed in the church and in Christian stores which to me is not a problem. There are many Christian rappers that would like to reach a wider audience but where are the funds? Hip hop artists are already marketed to reach a specific target audience but Christian hip hop is not set up to do that, the messae that they are bringing is completely anti-popular culture which is why it has been rejected in mainstream. If you ever listen to Dr. Cornel West speak about hip-hop and it's influence on our generation, you will find that any alternative to that popular culture has to be brought forth through some other medium to be accepted by most people.

[Mike D]

Great article. I agree in many ways but I think it's great that kids and teens are just doing their thing, but in a positive and influencial way. It's not that bad if they mimic someone else, as long as they have a sound of their own.

I like positive messages in music and my Christian artists.

I recently discovered John Tesh has a new project because one of my friends sent me a myspace link because she liked it and thought I would too. Guess what? I did actually like it. It's positive and has kids in it, kids are the future of the hip hop culture. I think that's awesome.

If any one wants to check it out the links are: http://www.myspace.com/johnteshalive http://johnteshalive.com/ http://youtube.com/TheJohnTeshRadioShow and he has a page on GodTube too that I found on my own. http://www.godtube.com/JohnTesh

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Thanks for writing this article and having a hip hop blog.

Peace.

Mike D

[Mike D]

Great article. I agree in many ways but I think it's great that kids and teens are just doing their thing, but in a positive and influencial way. It's not that bad if they mimic someone else, as long as they have a sound of their own.

I like positive messages in music and my Christian artists.

I recently discovered John Tesh has a new project because one of my friends sent me a myspace link because she liked it and thought I would too. Guess what? I did actually like it. It's positive and has kids in it, kids are the future of the hip hop culture. I think that's awesome.

If any one wants to check it out the links are: http://www.myspace.com/johnteshalive http://johnteshalive.com/ http://youtube.com/TheJohnTeshRadioShow and he has a page on GodTube too that I found on my own. http://www.godtube.com/JohnTesh

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Thanks for writing this article and having a hip hop blog.

Peace.

Mike D

[kendog sez]

Great article (guess I'm getting in a little late). Christian hip hop is still out of the Christian mainstream (let alone secular mainstream) because of a couple reasons. First, there is still a lot of cultural and racial bias in the church against Christian hip hop. The videos and images of dudes in hoodies waving there arms from side to side conjures up negative imagery associated with secular hip hop for the soccer-moms who are buying much of the mainstream Christian music. Second, CHH needs some more original breakthrough artists who's talent can't be denied. The mainstream will come to it, similar to what happened with secular hip hop 15 or so years ago. My take anyway.

[denver isaacs]

Often the christian hip-hop i hear doesn't sound like its really part of the hiphop culture. It still sounds like its something trying to reach in from outside.
And the emcees sound like they're not free enough to explore their concepts, so you hear the same safe topics being mauled over.
A lot of guys in the broader, secular hip-hop scene come across more real in their thoughts. A guy like common or talib and a number of other conscious type artists, one hears that they are truly seeking.
What I'm looking for, and i have heard a few tracks by christian emcees hit that mark for me, is real stories, a real pride in their relating their truth.
I have to be able to imagine an emcee in a cypher, battling all comers from any sphere of hiphop, and have enough skill to out-entertain them.
I don't think the emphasis should be on competing too closely with the secular commercial, but on building skills to the point where a christian emcee can be named among the top emcees in hiphop.
(hope someone's still reading this)

[J.D. of Duality]

I completly agree with kendog sez!

[pryze]

yea dis is true i hope it continues to grow so that there will be another way to hear the good news anyway check my christian hiphop focused page at youngpryze.blogspot.com

[Carl Bellamy]

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[Urbanitez Outreach]

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